Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

BUCK and BUBBLES

Black song and dance team. Ford Lee 'Buck' Washington (b 16 Oct. '03, Louisville KY; d 31 Jan. '55, NYC) played piano, also trumpet; John William 'Bubbles' Sublett (b 19 Feb. '02, Louisville; d 18 May '86) was one of the first rhythmic tap dancers; both sang, danced and clowned. They teamed as children after meeting in a bowling alley c'17; to NYC '19; soon played at vaudeville mecca the Palace; they were the first blacks to perform at Radio City Music Hall. Toured Europe '31, '36; films incl. A Star Is Born '37, Cabin In The Sky '43. They made a test record for Victor '27, nine sides for Columbia NYC '30--34 incl. alternate takes, mostly unreleased ('He's Long Gone From Bowling Green' and lovely version of 'Oh! Lady Be Good' later issued on LP anthologies), and six sides for Columbia/EMI in London '36. Broke up '53. Buck recorded with Louis Armstrong '30, Bessie Smith '33, Coleman Hawkins '34; Billie Holiday said that he played on her first records '33: this is unlikely, but he was listed as co-writer of 'Riffin' The Scotch', her second recording. He accompanied comedian Timmie Rogers '54. Bubbles created the role of Sportin' Life in George Gershwin's Porgy And Bess, later was the first black to appear on Johnny Carson Tonight TV show.